The Youth Training Camp

"Is your reason for not attending the Youth Training Camp another time for your 'spiritual practice'?"

Inside the Seigaku tennis court, Tezuka, whose arm was still recovering, and Horio, who didn't need to train, stood side by side.

"That's right. There's still a lot of time before the National Tournament starts. Instead of wasting time on those intensive training sessions, I feel that the effects of my own practice are more obvious."

"By the way, Captain, would you like to come with me? There's basically nothing for you to worry about in the team's training right now, and your arms can't handle high-intensity training."

"What do you mean by that? Even if I were to participate in your so-called cultivation, you've already said that my arm can't handle strenuous exercise."

Sometimes, true power doesn't just come from the body; mental strength can be far more powerful.

Seeing Horio's usual carefree attitude, Tezuka thought about it carefully.

"In that case, just let me know when the time comes."

Horio smiled when he heard Tezuka agree.

Wow, that's really impressive.

"To be living here for a while? That's unbelievable."

"It's quite spectacular indeed. Looks like life from now on is going to be very interesting."

A large bus was parked in front of a massive Training Base.

On the bus, the Seigaku members were incredibly curious when they saw the huge Training Base.

"Alright, we've arrived. Everyone, get ready to disembark."

Coach Ryuzaki's voice woke up the curious crowd, so everyone got off the bus with their bags on their backs.

"Hey Echizen, isn't that Coach Hanamura from Josei Shonan?"

As soon as Tao Momoshiro entered the Training Base, he looked around and saw Coach Hanamura, who had just parked his car.

"Hello Coach Ryuzaki, I look forward to working with you in the future."

"Oh, you too. Please guide me."

"This year, Josei Shonan sent three official players, and I believe this training camp will definitely help them make great progress."

"Our entire Seigaku team came this time. I heard that only the Kanto Tournament champion team would do this."

Hearing Coach Ryuzaki's somewhat boastful words, Coach Hanamura did not react excessively, but instead looked at the Seigaku team.

"Didn't Horio come? He should be a regular member too."

"You mean him? That kid always does things his own way. He said he had to take care of his own things and gave his spot to someone else."

Hanamura was visibly disappointed to hear that Horio hadn't come, but he felt better when he saw Ryoma.

Just as Coach Ryuzaki and Coach Hanamura were talking, representatives from other schools arrived at the Training Base.

The Josei Shonan sent three representatives: Kajimoto Takahisa, Waka Hirō, Kamishiro Reiji.

Fudomine sent out Ibu Shinji and Kamio Akira, presumably because Tachibana Kippei's foot injury had not yet recovered.

Rokkaku Middle School sent Saeki Kojiro, Amato Hikaru, and Kisarazu Ryo.

There were fewer people at Yamabuki Middle School; only Sengoku Kiyosumi remained.

St. Rudolph also has Mizuki Hajime, Kisarazu Atsushi, and Fuji Yuta.

Hyotei, who were eliminated by Seigaku in the first round of the Kanto Tournament, surprisingly had five players: Atobe Keigo, Oshitari Yushi, Mukahi Ryo, Oshitari Chotaro, and Kabaji Munehiro.

Even the runners-up in the Kanto Tournament were only three: Sanada Genichiro, Yanagi Renji, and Kirihara Akaya.

Beep...

Outside the Training Base, a taxi stopped at the entrance, and a figure in a suit got out.

"That's so typical of him..."

Hyotei Coach Sakaki Taro, the legendary tycoon, actually arrived in a taxi.

"Alright everyone, I will be the Head Coach for this training camp. Please give me your guidance."

As you all know, starting this year, a temporary Japan-US Friendship Youth Tennis Tournament will be held, with the opponent being the US West Coast Youth Selection Team.

The original plan was to select outstanding contestants from across the country after the National Tournament concluded.

It was brought forward because of the requirements from the United States.

Therefore, we have decided to select our national team members from the key players of various teams in the Kanto region through this training camp. Coach Hanamura will explain the details of the training camp to everyone.

"Then I will explain the training content of the training camp. First of all, the 28 people participating in this training camp are divided into three groups, led by the three of us Coach."

The main purpose is to practice and compete. The training content for each group will be determined by the Coach of each group. The group list has been posted on the dormitory bulletin board. You can check it yourself.

"Alright, that's about it for the main points. There will be dedicated staff to take care of your food, clothing, accommodation, and transportation during this training camp, as well as volunteers to assist you."

"Great, I'm from the Ryuzaki team."

"Eiji, which group am I in?"

"Don't worry, Oishi, you're in my group."

"Great, Yuta, we're in the same group!"

"I won't go easy on you just because you're my brother."

"Among these twenty-eight people, whoever is ultimately selected for the team will be a strong team, which shows that everyone's strength is roughly equal. Therefore, today, the first day, we'll have everyone do independent practice."

In the conference room, Coach Ryuzaki was having a meeting with his team members, while Coach Hanamura and Coach Sakaki had also finished their meetings with their team members.

Meanwhile, in a forest in Japan, one figure was undergoing terrifying training, while another sat quietly.

"Those two brats... it looks like the plan can proceed smoothly."

A burly figure stood discreetly not far away, watching the two figures, one still and one moving, as he gulped down another glass of wine.

After watching for a while, he stopped hiding.

"Hey you two brats, you've had enough of this place, you can get out of here now."

"You old geezer, do you think I want to stay with you? You stink to death."

"Hmph, brat, say whatever you want, but you'd better get out of here now."

Horio retorted without hesitation to the words spoken by this burly figure.

"Senior, thank you for taking care of me during this time. I feel I have gained new insights."

Tezuka stood up at this moment. Although he looked the same as before, his eyes had become more reserved.

"You're much more polite than that kid, but you're still far from good enough."

"Alright, stop being so self-important. We'll leave in a bit."

"Hmph, kid, you don't need to come over for a while. I'll let you know when they get back."

As Horio packed his things and prepared to leave with Tezuka, the Scruffy Old Man suddenly spoke to Horio.

"Looks like I've reached that level, you old geezer."

"Hmph, don't be so arrogant. Compared to that person, you're still lacking. You've reached a bottleneck. If you can't compete with real masters, you'll stagnate."

I'll let you know when they get back; you high school students should be heading there by then too.